Fliptop integrated latch

Abstract

An integrated latching mechanism includes a slider button extending along a first direction, curved elastic arms that extend from the slider button in a second direction and then curve back in an direction opposite thereto, a locking part contiguous with the slider button and extending away from the slider button and the elastic arms in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. In response to ends of the elastic arms being held at fixed positions and an external force urging the slider button in a direction opposite to the third direction, the locking part moves in the same direction, and the urging of the slider button distorts the elastic arms such that upon removal of the external force, the elastic arms move the slider button and the locking part in the third direction. The elastic arms, slider button, and locking part form a single piece of elastic material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fliptop unit, comprising:
 a movable lid; 
 a bezel configured to surround the movable lid; 
 an insert configured to be coupled with the bezel; and 
 an integrated latching mechanism that is disposed between the bezel and the insert and having a slider button that extends through an aperture formed in the bezel, and a locking part formed adjacent to the slider button and extending away from the slider button, 
 wherein the integrated latching mechanism is configured such that an external force urging the slider button to move within the aperture moves the locking part in a same direction and releases the movable lid, and 
 the urging of the slider button distorts the integrated latching mechanism such that upon removal of the external force, the integrated latching mechanism urges the slider button and the locking part in an opposite direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The fliptop unit of  claim 1 , wherein the locking part includes a flat surface that is configured to abut against an edge of the movable lid to secure the movable lid to the bezel, and the urging of the slider button moves the flat surface away from contact with the edge of the lid. 
     
     
       3. The fliptop unit of  claim 2 , wherein the locking part includes an opposing slanted surface that intersects the flat surface at one end, such that when the edge of the lid is in an unsecured position and moved toward the bezel, the edge of the lid pushes against the slanted surface to distort the integrated latching mechanism, and upon the edge of the movable lid moving past the slanted surface, the elastic force generated by the distortion of the integrated latching mechanism causes the flat surface to abut against the edge of the movable lid and secure the movable lid to the bezel. 
     
     
       4. The fliptop unit of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated latching mechanism includes:
 the slider button which extends along a first direction, 
 first and second curved elastic arms that extend from the slider button in a second direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the second direction, 
 the locking part which is contiguous with the slider button and extends away from the slider button and the first and second curved elastic arms in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, 
 an end of each of the first and second curved elastic arms are held at fixed positions with respect to the bezel and insert, 
 in response to an external force urging the slider button in a direction opposite to the third direction, the locking part moves in the direction opposite to the third direction, and the urging of the slider button distorts the first and second curved elastic arms such that upon removal of the external force, the first and second curved elastic arms move the slider button and the locking part in the third direction, and 
 the first and second curved elastic arms, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material. 
 
     
     
       5. The fliptop unit of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second curved elastic arms are each substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
       6. The fliptop unit of  claim 5 , wherein at a base of the U-shape, each of the first and second curved elastic arms includes a portion configured to press against wall portions formed in a region of the bezel and hold the integrated latching mechanism in place. 
     
     
       7. The fliptop unit of  claim 4 , wherein the ends of the first and second curved elastic arms each include a pad having a post that extends away from the pad and to couple with corresponding openings formed in the insert. 
     
     
       8. The fliptop unit of  claim 4 , wherein the locking part includes a flat surface that is parallel to the third direction, and an opposing surface that slants toward and intersects with the flat surface at one end. 
     
     
       9. An integrated latching mechanism, comprising:
 a slider button extending along a first direction; 
 first and second curved elastic arms that extend from the slider button in a second direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the second direction; 
 a locking part contiguous with the slider button and extending away from the slider button and the first and second curved elastic arms in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; 
 wherein in response to an end of each of the first and second curved elastic arms being held at fixed positions and an external force urging the slider button in a direction opposite to the third direction, the locking part moves in the direction opposite to the third direction, and the urging of the slider button distorts the first and second curved elastic arms such that upon removal of the external force, the first and second curved elastic arms move the slider button and the locking part in the third direction, and 
 the first and second curved elastic arms, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material. 
 
     
     
       10. The integrated latching mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second curved elastic arms are each substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
       11. The integrated latching mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein at a base of the U-shape, each of the first and second curved elastic arms includes a portion configured to press against wall portions of a unit in which the integrated latching mechanism is held. 
     
     
       12. The integrated latching mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the ends of the first and second curved elastic arms each include a pad having a post that extends away from the pad. 
     
     
       13. The integrated latching mechanism of  claim 9 , wherein the locking part includes a flat surface that is parallel to the third direction, and an opposing surface that slants toward and intersects with the flat surface at one end. 
     
     
       14. A fliptop unit, comprising:
 a movable lid; 
 a bezel configured to surround the movable lid 
 an insert configured to be coupled with the bezel; and 
 an integrated latching mechanism that is disposed between the bezel and the insert, and comprising:
 a slider button extending along a first direction through an aperture formed in the bezel, 
 first and second curved elastic arms that are each substantially U-shaped and which extend from the slider button in a second direction and then curve back in a direction opposite to the second direction, and at a base of the U-shape, each of the first and second curved elastic arms includes a portion configured to press against wall portions formed in a region of the bezel and hold the integrated latching mechanism in place, the ends of the first and second curved elastic arms each including a pad having a post that extends away from the pad and to couple with corresponding openings formed in the insert, 
 a locking part contiguous with the slider button and extending away from the slider button and the first and second curved elastic arms in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, the locking part including a flat surface that is parallel to the third direction, and an opposing surface that slants toward and intersects with the flat surface at one end, 
 wherein in response to an external force urging the slider button in a direction opposite to the third direction, the locking part moves in the direction opposite to the third direction and releases the movable lid, and the urging of the slider button distorts the first and second curved elastic arms such that upon removal of the external force, the first and second curved elastic arms move the slider button and the locking part in the third direction, and 
 the first and second curved elastic arms, the slider button, and the locking part form a single piece of elastic material.